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STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - APRIL 11: Reza Madadi works out for the media during the UFC open workouts at Pancrase Gym on April 11, 2012 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Reza Madadi

TRAINING: Hard sparring every day at the gym. I am getting ready to put on the best performance ever!

When and why did you start training for fighting? As a kid, I wrestled a lot in Sweden and Iran and I also became the Swedish champion. After a couple of years in the wrestling mix, I wanted a new challenge and I had some friends fighting in MMA so I said I would give it a try. Two months later I made my pro debut in Finland and I loved it. The crowd went crazy and I enjoyed it so much that I told Manos (my long-time manager) that I wanted a fight immediately again and he booked me shortly after on a show in Sweden when I actually fought for free! This is how everything started and now I am in the UFC and it really is a dream come true. I have been talking about this for a long time and there are only a couple of days left until I make my debut!

Getty Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this image or clip. If you violate our intellectual property you may be liable for: actual damages, loss of income, and profits you derive from the use of this image or clip, and, where appropriate, the costs of collection and/or statutory damages up to $150,000 (USD).